Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Slow heart rhythm and J wave in a hypothermic dog
By Apolloni, I et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2025·Department of Veterinary Science, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Slow ventricular response atrial fibrillation and J wave in a hypothermic dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old Italian hound was brought to the vet after experiencing severe hypothermia, vomiting, and diarrhea. The dog's heart showed an abnormal rhythm called slow ventricular response atrial fibrillation, with a heart rate that varied widely. After being hospitalized and actively warmed up, the dog's heart rhythm returned to normal on its own, and the symptoms improved.
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Abstract
A 9-year-old, outdoors, Italian hound dog was referred for severe hypothermia that had occurred after vomiting and diarrhea. At presentation, the electrocardiogram showed a slow ventricular response atrial fibrillation with an instantaneous heart rate ranging from 20 to 115 beats/min. The QRS complexes were mildly enlarged and followed by a J wave. The QT interval was prolonged (360 msec). Multiple wide QRS complexes with various bizarre morphologies, either singular or in couples, indicative of ventricular ectopic beats, were also observed. The dog was hospitalized and actively rewarmed; the rhythm spontaneously converted to sinus rhythm with respiratory sinus arrhythmia.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40939332/